Donations for Climate - Forest share and hedge dumping - Success in Moorfutures
The "Oeko-Certificates" issued by the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region for forest shares, fruit tree shares, and hedge checks bring in only little money for afforestation. This is evident from the answer of the regional government to a small inquiry by AfD Landtag member Martin Schmidt. Only the Moor futures reportedly generate six-figure sums. The revenues are used for the rewetting of drained peatlands in the northeast. Drained peatlands are considered CO2 emitters.
The "Oeko-Certificates" are not actual securities. They cannot be traded. Instead, they represent confirmation of a donation. According to the Environmental Ministry, approximately 100 hectares of forest have been planted using the revenues from the forest shares.
Moor futures for specific projects
Moor futures can only be purchased when a specific peatland restoration project is underway, explained a spokeswoman for the Schwerin Environmental Ministry. This is expected to be the case again in the fall. In the previous year, the "Märchenwiese Ichlim" peatland in the community of Lärz (Mecklenburgische Seenplatte) was rewetted. A company bought all the issued Moor futures for 500,000 Euro. The ministry spokeswoman emphasized that companies cannot improve their CO2 balance through the acquisition of Moor futures. It is a voluntary additional measure.
Of the forest shares, the best-known "Oeko-Certificate" with which Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) began collecting donations for afforestation projects in 2007, only 338 pieces were sold last year for a total of 3,380 Euro. In the most successful year 2010, 23,866 forest shares were sold at 10 Euro each. Six-figure revenues were last generated in 2013, and five-figure revenues last in 2020. Hecken-Schecks have generated a total of 13,708 Euro, and fruit tree shares, which have been available since 2015, have generated 73,620 Euro to date.
"Expensive PR stunt"
The AfD criticized the "Oeko-Certificates" as an expensive PR stunt. According to the regional government, a Competence Center Oeko-Certificates was set up in the Environmental Ministry in Schwerin in 2021. Two employees are active there, each dedicating 25% of their time. AfD Landtag member Martin Schmidt considers this a waste. "The acquisition of donations for planting and rewetting can be done by the numerous charitable organizations and foundations in Germany," he said.
- Despite the low revenue generated by 'Oeko-Certificates' in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the Environmental Ministry, led by Minister Till Backhaus, has successfully planted approximately 100 hectares of forest using the funds.
- Martin Schmidt, an AfD Landtag member, expressed criticism towards the 'Oeko-Certificates', labeling them as an expensive public relations stunt, while the BMU in Schwerin has allocated resources to establish a Competence Center for these certificates.
- In contrast to the 'Oeko-Certificates', Moor futures have proved to be profitable, with a company investing 500,000 Euro to rewet a specific peatland in Lärz, which was considered a CO2 emitter.
- The AfD's arguments for considering alternative means for afforestation and rewetting projects are valid, as numerous charitable organizations and foundations in Germany also take part in these initiatives without the need for expensive schemes like the 'Oeko-Certificates'.
